An air sampling and analysis method for monitoring personal exposure to vapors of acrylate monomers.

A method for air sampling and analysis has been developed for vapors of acrylate monomers. Concentrations as low as 0.05 parts per million by volume (ppmv) can be measured, with the exception of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate which can be measured as low as 0.01 ppmv. These limits of sensitivity are based on a 60-minute sample at a flowrate of 500 cc per minute. The acrylate monomer vapor is adsorbed on activated silica gel, desorbed in acetone, and analyzed by gas chromatography using FFAP or OV-17 liquid phase columns. Three statistical studies show that this method is well within the accuracy and precision limits OSHA requires for methods of monitoring personnel exposure to air contaminants. Other parameters investigated were the effects of humidity, flowrate, and adsorption capacity, plus storage effects. This method has been applied to the following acrylate monomers; 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), isodecyl acrylate (IDA), methylcarbamoyloxyethyl acrylate (MCEA), 2-henoxyethyl acrylate (PEA), esterdiol-204-diacrylate (ED-204-DA), and esterdiol-204-4-ethoxy-diacrylate (ED-204-4EO-DA).

Monitoring personal exposure to ethylenediamine in the occupational environment.

A method for monitoring exposure to ethylenediamine (EDA) in the occupational environment is described. The EDA is adsorbed on activated silica gel, desorbed with 0.5 percent aqueous cupric chloride, and analyzed by gas chromatography using a 2 percent KOH on a Chromosorb 103 column. The method is sensitive to 200 micrograms/mL EDA and can detect 1.0 ppmv EDA in samples collected for 4.5 hours at a 300 cc per minute flow. The method has been evaluated in the laboratory and under plant conditions. Other amines do not interfere with the determination of EDA.

A solid sorbent personal sampling method for the determination of acrolein in air.

A personal air sampling method, using activated carbon with subsequent analysis by gas chromatography, has been developed for acrolein in the 0.05 to 5 ppm (parts per million) range for a five liter air sample. The sensitivity is 0.25 microgram (microgram) of acrolein. This first known viable method for acrolein using a solid adsorbent was made possible by the discovery that acrolein can be adsorbed on, and recovered from, hydroquinone-treated carbon with efficiencies as high as 90 percent. Samples must be analyzed the same day or frozen and analyzed within five days. Airborne contaminants possibly present in the acrolein production area do not interfere with the analysis.

A new method for monitoring personal exposure to ethylene oxide in the occupational environment.

A novel method for monitoring occupational exposure to ethylene oxide was developed. Ethylene oxide was collected on Columbia JXC activated carbon, desorbed with carbon disulfide, and analyzed by gas chromatography using a TERGITOL TMN or UCON LB55OX column. Several parameters such as selection of adsorbent and column; effects of humidity, sampling rate and volume; shelf-life; interference from ten contaminants; desorption technique and calibration curve were investigated. The lower detection limit of the method is 0.15 ppm in ten liters of air. The method was evaluated statistically and by conducting a round-robin interlaboratory study.